Herbert C. Burch, M. D. Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1296-1297 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	A photo of Herbert C. Burch, M. D. faces page 1296.


	HERBERT C. BURCH, M. D., is one of the leading representatives of 
the noble and beneficent school of homeopathic medicine in the state, 
and is actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Redfield, 
the capital of Spink county, while he is also known as a public-spirited 
citizen and is well worthy of the high regard in which he is held in 
professional, business and social circles. 

	Herbert Corydon Burch was born in Brookfield, Madison county, New 
York, on the 13th of August, 1868, and is a son of William C. and Clara 
I. (Burdick) Burch, who still maintain their home in Brookfield, the 
father having been throughout life a farmer by vocation. The subject is 
a direct descendant of Jeremiah Burch, of Stonington, Connecticut, who 
there had a large grant of land prior to 1670; and also of John Clarke, 
who came from England to Newport, Rhode Island, in 1638, being 
associated with Roger Williams in founding the colony of Rhode Island. 
He obtained from King Charles II the famous charter of the Providence 
and Newport plantations. Direct ancestors of the Doctor were prominent 
officers in the Continental army during the war of the Revolution and 
were early settlers in central New York. 

	Dr. Burch passed his boyhood days on the homestead farm and after 
completing the curriculum of the public schools continued his studies in 
the Brookfield Academy, where he prepared himself for teaching, having 
in the meanwhile formulated definite plans for finally adopting the 
profession of medicine. Even as a boy he was an avidious student and 
reader and early determined to seek a wider field of endeavor than that 
afforded on the farm. He was engaged in teaching in various country and 
village schools from 1885 to 1888, in which latter year he was 
matriculated in the Hahnemann Medical College, in the city of Chicago, 
where he was graduated in April, 1890, receiving his degree of Doctor of 
Medicine. Later he took special post-graduate work in surgery and 
gynecology. Immediately after his graduation he located in Paxton, 
Illinois, where he was engaged in practice until December, 1891, when, 
by reason of a desire to locate farther west, he came to South Dakota 
and established himself in practice at Miller, Hand county, where he 
remained until June, 1894, when he came to Redfield, where he has built 
up a very large and representative practice, having one of the best 
equipped offices in the state and being well known in professional 
circles all over South Dakota. He is a member of the South Dakota State 
Homeopathic Medical Society and of the Quadri-State Medical Society, of 
Sioux City, Iowa. He was a staunch Democrat in his political 
proclivities and is an influential factor in its councils in the state, 
while he takes a great interest in all public affairs. He was 
commissioned first lieutenant and assistant surgeon in the Second 
Regiment of South Dakota National Guard in 1902, and in the same year 
was honored with election to the board of aldermen of Redfield, being 
re-elected in April, 1903. He became affiliated with the Knights of 
Pythias in 1895 and in the following year became a member of the state 
grand lodge of the order, of which he was grand chancellor in 1901-2. He 
has served as master workman in his lodge of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Modern 
Brotherhood of America, as well as a number of other fraternal and 
social organizations. 

	In the city of Cleveland, Ohio, on the 3d of May, 1893, was 
solemnized the marriage of Dr. Burch to Miss Flora A. Crumb, who was 
born and reared in that city, being a daughter of Charles and Lucy M. 
Crumb, who removed to that city from Brookfield, New York, in the early 
‘sixties, Mr. Crumb being for many years prominently identified with 
banking interests and being now retired. Dr. and Mrs. Burch have one 
son, Clayton B., who was born in Redfield, April 6, 1895. Mrs. Burch is 
a woman of gracious presence and is prominent in the social life of the 
community.